Written By Jeffrey Reed
Somewhat lost in the shuffle of news stemming from a current volatile world was the tremendous success of the Canadian team competing March 6-15 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games.
Team Canada concluded the nine days of competition with 15 medals–three gold, four silver and eight bronze, good for a sixth-place finish. A team of 50 athletes, including four guides, competed in each sport, including Para alpine skiing (eight athletes), Para ice hockey (17), Para nordic skiing–including Para biathlon and Para cross-country skiing (15), Para snowboard (5) and wheelchair curling (5).
Perhaps Canadian Paralympic Committee CEO Karen O’Neill said it best when she quipped, “The Games are an incredible example how sport can unite, break down barriers and foster greater inclusion and accessibility.”
One of the heroes at this year’s Games was London’s Mark Ideson, who has become one of Southwestern Ontario’s most decorated athletes of all-time on the international stage. Ideson, 49, skipped Canada’s wheelchair curling team to its fourth Paralympic gold medal and first since 2014. He threw the critical last shots for Canada that secured their semifinal and final victories against South Korea and China, helping Canada become the first country to ever complete the tournament undefeated.
Team skip since 2018, Ideson made his Paralympic debut in 2014 and now has two gold and two bronze medals.
Canada entered the Milano Cortina games looking to extend a remarkable streak which included a medal at every Paralympic Games since wheelchair curling made its debut in 2006. Canada had captured gold in 2006, 2010 and 2014, and bronze in 2018 and 2022.
“Mark just did it all week for us. He was a great leader, and I’m super proud of him and this whole team, and it’s super special,” said vice-skip/third Jon Thurston of Dunsford, Ont.
“It’s validating for all the hard work that’s gone in the last 12 years,” said Ideson of the time between this year’s Games and 2014.
Ideson was selected to be one of two flag bearers representing Canada at the closing ceremony along with Para Nordic skier Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C. He said carrying the Maple Leaf was “the biggest honour I could ever imagine.”
“It’s really hard to sum up this whole week. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a great group of people. We have the best team and the best staff and compete for the best country. I am incredibly proud and honoured to have been part of this whole journey.”
With the world in turmoil today, it’s comforting knowing we have heroes like our Paralympic athletes to look at for inspiration and hope.
Award-winning writer Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of
LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
